SP 9/2 Held up in last pair, closer order 3rd, promising headway on outside approaching 3 out, raced awkwardly and outpaced after 3 out, never able to get on terms after, jumped right last, went modest 4th run in opened 4/1

SP 5/1 Raced keenly, led but pressed, headed after 2nd, pressed winner, lost 2nd soon after 3 out, chased leading pair, well held 2 out, no chance when mistake last, soon lost 3rd, weakened run in opened 8/1

Analysis

David Pipe: "Tom managed to get him settled and he probably appreciated the better ground. Fair play to the horse, he's battled all the way up the home straight which on the Flat at times he hasn't done. This was an easier race. He's been taking on horses like Irving, Mountain King and Stand To Reason. I thought (a mark of) 117 was stiff enough, but they kept franking the form, so this looked an ideal race. We'll see what the handicapper does. He'll be in the all the two-mile handicap hurdles, basically. He should do better when we get some summer ground."